Atty. Joseph E. Tierney III

Atty. Joseph E. Tierney III

Joseph E. Tierney, III has more than forty years of experience focused primarily on tax and corporate law for businesses, owner families and individuals.

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Profile Summary

About Joseph E. Tierney III at a glance

Joseph E. Tierney III is a trusts, business, and tax attorney based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, practicing at Meissner Tierney Fisher & Nichols SC. Admitted to practice in Wisconsin, State Bar of Wisconsin. Educated at New York University (LL.M., 1967) and Marquette University (J.D., 1966). Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — Corporate Law (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Tax Law (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — Trusts and Estates (2026). Serands clients in Milwaukee, WI and the surrounding metropolitan area.

Verified attorney profile · Updated June 2026

About

  • Joseph E. Tierney, III has more than forty years of experience focused primarily on tax and corporate law for businesses, owner families and individuals
  • He has particular experience in the design and administration of plans for very large estates, including some whose accumulated assets have totaled in the eight- and nine-figures
  • He has also been lead counsel in the purchase and sale of numerous businesses and has extensive experience in entity selection and structuring
  • Because tax consequences drive business and estate planning decisions, Joe’s counsel includes guidance in a wide range of situations to achieve both the business and personal goals of his clients
  • Joe’s business practice encompasses long-term representation of companies across a broad spectrum of industries, including cold storage, gas line construction, investment management, software development, manufacturing and import-export
  • Joe assists at every stage of a company’s growth and development, and advises clients in the day-to-day operation of their businesses, on issues involving personnel, compensation, and negotiation of complex financial issues
  • Additionally, he has participated in negotiations with the Environmental Protection Agency and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources with respect to remediation of an important contaminated site
  • In the estate planning context, Joe possesses substantial experience in charitable gifting, and the creation and supervision of many forms of charitable organizations, in addition to extensive familiarity with all appropriate tax-advantageous planning strategies
  • Joe is a seasoned professional speaker and author, and has written over one hundred articles and speeches on the topic of tax law
  • He is now serving as an adjunct professor at Marquette Law School

Practice Areas Explained

Joseph E. Tierney III's Areas of Practice

Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Joseph E. Tierney III handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.

Trusts

Joseph E. Tierney III is one of 104,172 trusts attorneys indexed nationally. Browse trusts attorneys in Wisconsin →

Business & Corporate Law

Business attorneys advise founders and growing companies on entity formation, contracts, financing, M&A, and dispute resolution.

Joseph E. Tierney III is one of 501,317 business attorneys indexed nationally. Browse business attorneys in Wisconsin →

Tax Law

Tax attorneys handle IRS audits, tax debt, international tax, estate planning, and tax court litigation.

Joseph E. Tierney III is one of 85,302 tax attorneys indexed nationally. Browse tax attorneys in Wisconsin →

Jurisdictional Context

Why local counsel matters in Wisconsin

Practicing law in Wisconsin. Legal matters in Wisconsin are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Milwaukee are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Wisconsin state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Wisconsin brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this andnue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in Wisconsin courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.

Looking for additional Wisconsin attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Milwaukee or all attorneys in Wisconsin.

Frequently Asked

Common questions about Joseph E. Tierney III

Where is Joseph E. Tierney III's law office located?
Joseph E. Tierney III's law practice is located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The firm is Meissner Tierney Fisher & Nichols SC. You can contact the office directly through this profile page.
What practice areas does Joseph E. Tierney III handle?
Joseph E. Tierney III focuses on trusts, business, tax. Each practice area listed reflects experience handling cases of that type in Wisconsin.
Where did Joseph E. Tierney III go to law school?
Joseph E. Tierney III earned their education at (LL.M., 1967); (J.D., 1966); (BA, 1964).
How can I contact Joseph E. Tierney III for a consultation?
You can contact Joseph E. Tierney III directly through this profile page. Click "Ask the Attorney" to submit a question, or "Schedule a Consultation" to book a meeting. Most claimed-profile attorneys respond within one business day.
What awards or recognition has Joseph E. Tierney III received?
Joseph E. Tierney III's notable recognition includes: Best Lawyers in America — Corporate Law; Best Lawyers in America — Tax Law; Best Lawyers in America — Trusts and Estates; Best Lawyers in America — Awards:; Best Lawyers in America — Martindale-Hubbell AV Peer Review Rated.

Education

LL.M.
New York University
- 1967
J.D.
Marquette University
- 1966
BA
Marquette University
- 1964

Awards

Best Lawyers in America — Corporate Law
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Tax Law
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Trusts and Estates
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Awards:
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Martindale-Hubbell AV Peer Review Rated
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — The Best Lawyers In America (1995 - 2014)
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Wisconsin Super Lawyers (2005 - 2013)
- 2026

Bar Admissions

Wisconsin, State Bar of Wisconsin

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